breat cancer - being sacked because of ..

[mazzzz4]

my sister has worked for her employer for 6 years and found out she has breast cancer a year ago. She had an operation and regular hospital visits.

She has struggled to keep up with the work as it is quite physical and they are now going to sack her - this will also make her homeless as she is in tied accommodation. The worry is unbearable and not helping her recovery. It all seems so unfair. How can I help her?

Have you tried the Citizens Advice Bureau? Or, if you have the money, make an appointment with a solicitor specialising in employment law. Good luck

this is interesting. Cancer counts as a disability under diability discrimination law these days, so she may well be able to dispute this/persue a tribunal of some kind? hth

wow. what an arsehole her employer is. that's not helpful i know.

I'm afraid this isnt going to help much, but unfortunately there are some strange rules with health at work. Citizens advice will assist, but this link shows the legal positions of companys:

www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1073791211

also check the acas website to make sure the company follow "best practice"

www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461

To be honest, if the company follows best practice, they have proved to adjust to her needs, but no other work can be found that suits her health needs, then they are in their rights to dismiss her

I would also get her to talk to ACAS as they are better equipped with the rules and regualations than the CAB are.

Best of luck xx

also meant to say, there are different rules if she was diagnosed before April 2009

Thank you all so much for your messages. She went to CAB who pretty much said the same about 'not much you can do if they've followed best practice' - I will look into this a bit more. Also the disability issue is interesting - will check this out and report back. I think she was diagnosed in March 2009 - which bit would this make a difference to? Thanks again everyone x